Planning is already underway for the 2026 Pittsburgh Draft and the NFL is looking to engage event-ready businesses within the greater Pittsburgh area to support the production of this world-class event.
This procurement program is an opportunity for local businesses and certified diverse businesses (minority, woman, person with disabilities, LGBTQ+ and veteran-owned) to gain exposure to subcontracting opportunities related to the 2026 NFL Draft and provide networking and capacity building for all accepted businesses.
Businesses selected for the program will be profiled in a directory, which NFL primary contractors and event producers will use to identify and select local and certified diverse suppliers to fulfill their subcontracting needs. Becoming a member of the procurement program is a competitive process, and acceptance within the program does not guarantee contracts and/or RFP invites.
Program Guidelines
The NFL requires the following business requisites in order to to be eligible for participation in the 2026 Draft Source program.
- Be the direct source of the goods and services offered
- Be in good standing and eligible to do business within the state of Pennsylvania
- Be headquartered in the greater Pittsburgh area (Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, Westmoreland)
Businesses that meet the characteristics below are encouraged to apply. Those who do not meet all criteria are eligible to participate in the program.
- Be a certified diverse business (51% owned and operated by a minority, woman, person with disabilities, LGBTQ+ or veteran individual)
- Provide a product or service requested by the 2026 Pittsburgh Draft Source program
- Been in operation since April 2023
2026 NFL DRAFT SOURCE PROGRAM
PROCUREMENT NEEDS
Below is a list of the most common business disciplines leveraged to support the production of the Draft and surrounding events.
Food & Beverage
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- Catering
- Food Trucks
Event Promotion
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- Graphic Design
- Large Format Printing/Signage
- Marketing & Outreach Services
- Promotional Items
Event Support
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- Audio Visual
- Carpet/Flooring
- Décor
- Entertainment
- Event Production
- Florals/Plants/Trees
- Golf Carts
- Laundry Services
- Photography/Videography
- Port-O-Lets
- Staging & Lighting
- Talent Trailers
- Temporary Housing
- Temporary Event Staffing
- Tenting
- Traffic Management
- Venues
- White Glove/Concierge Services
Consulting, Management, & Advisory
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- Administrative
- Construction/Permitting/Safety
- Security
- Transportation Broker
Construction & Maintenance
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- Barricades/Fencing
- Cable Wire Contractors
- Contract Labor
- Electrical
- Equipment Rentals (Heavy)
- Fabrication
- General Contractors
- Janitorial Services
- Scaffolding
- Shoring
- Temporary Structures/Containers
- Waste Removal
Transportation
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- Transportation (Freight)
- Transportation (High-Capacity Passenger Vehicles)
Security
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- Security Staffing/Augmentation
Is your category not listed?
Apply anyway. If we have questions we will reach out directly.
Recognized Diversity Certifications
The 2026 NFL Draft Source program acknowledges the following approved certification types for qualifying diverse businesses:
NATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS RECOGNIZED BY THE NFL
Disability:IN
- DOBE: Disability-Owned Business Enterprise
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- LGBTBE: LGBT Business Enterprise
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- MBE: Minority Business Enterprise
National Veteran Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
- VBE: Veteran’s Business Enterprise
- SDVBE: Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise
National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC)
- MBE: Minority Business Enterprise
- WBE: Women’s Business Enterprise
- VBE: Veteran’s Business Enterprise
Small Business Administration (SBA)
- 8(a)
- VOSB: Veteran-Owned Small Business
- SDVOSB: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
U.S. Black Chambers Inc. (USBC)
- ByBlack
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- WBE: Women’s Business Enterprise
LOCAL CERTIFICATIONS RECOGNIZED BY THE 2026 NFL DRAFT Source Program
Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PAUCP)
- DBE: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS)
- Small Diverse Business Program (MBE or WBE designations only)
Is your business not certified?
Apply anyway. If we have questions we will reach out directly.